Skype 4.2 Released – Install on Ubuntu/Debian/Linux Mint and Fedora

Finally, the long-awaited Skype 4.2 for Linux released by Microsoft with major updates, lots of various bug fixes and some minor features from the previous version, and this update is one of the biggest update as of now.

As per Microsoft, the Skype 4.2 has been revamped and redesigned and included a huge number of improvements like fixes navigation issues, increased stability of application for logging from a Microsoft Account (MSN combine into Skype a long back), optimized voice messaging and much more new features.

Install Skype 4.2 in Linux

Also added better efficiencies, such as no need of re-entering password when logging using “My Account” from the already logged in client.

A complete list of new features and bug fixes in this new release of Skype for Linux can be seen below.

Features

Add subscription status and link to the account brief view in the main window.
Add a button to enable voice message from the options dialog.
When sharing the screen in a multiple monitor setup, share the one where the call window is at the moment.
Add Messenger predefined group when logged-in with your MSA account.
Create an entry point to hold a conference call from the conversations view.
Improvement new sizes for the Skype icon.

Bug Fixes

Artifacts in the contact list after changing topic or picture in a multichat.
Searching in the chat window when ‘Ignore poster names’ is set might lead to client crash.
Skype crashes on attempting to stop sharing selection being in a call on hold.
Disabling Birthday notification doesn’t work.
Clicking on certain contact request notifications lead always to the wrong contact request against ‘live’ contact.
Hide screen sharing window when call paused.
Link bounding rectangle mismatch in chat when font is smaller than an emoticon present on the same line.
Double click on a PSTN contact should follow preferred action and not always call.
Do not pollute the Clipboard with quoted text when quoting a chat message.
Do not show call on hold for conversations that cannot be put on hold (I.e: echo123).
Call hold overlay icon goes away giving the idea the call is resumed when is not.
Show mute indicator at the bottom even when muting from the keyboard shortcut.
Do not show the login window if autologin plus start Skype minimized are enabled.
Mark the birthday “read” when seen in the chat.
Do not allow more than 256-length conversation’s topic.
Localize all the prices in the Skype WiFi dialogs.

For more details of complete change log and bug fixes in the latest Skype 4.2 for Linux, can be found at Skype blog.

The Skype 4.2 packages are only available for a few 32-bit Linux distributions such as Ubuntu 10.04, Ubuntu 12.04, Debian 7.0, Fedora 16, and openSUSE 12.1.

Installing or Upgrading Skype 4.2 in Ubuntu, Debian and Linux Mint

Open a terminal window by hitting “Ctrl+Alt+T” from the Desktop and remove the ealier version of Skype, if you’ve already installed on your system. Type the following command to uninstall.

$ sudo apt-get remove skype skype-bin

Next, download the latest Skype 4.2 package from the official site, you can download it using following “wget” command as shown below. The Skype for Ubunut 12.04 package works on newer Ubuntu 13.04/12.10/12.04, Debian and Linux Mint released (I’ve tested it on Ubuntu 13.04 and Debian 7.0 works greatly) and it also works on Linux Mint 15/14/13.

If the Skype icon tray or appindicator is missing, install “sni-qt” packages.

On 32-Bit

$ sudo apt-get install sni-qt

On 64-Bit

sudo apt-get install sni-qt sni-qt:i386

Installing Skype 4.2 in Fedora

This installation instructions are fairly straight forward and works on Fedora 18,17,16,1532-bit and 64-bit systems. Lets install some following dependencies packages using “yum” command. There is no Skype rpm available for 64-bit systems, so users who use 64-bit, they need to install i686 (32-bit) packages to fulfil Skype dependencies issues.

I am Ravi Saive, creator of TecMint. A Computer Geek and Linux Guru who loves to share tricks and tips on Internet. Most Of My Servers runs on Open Source Platform called Linux. Follow Me: Twitter, Facebook and Google+

Your name can also be listed here. Got a tip? Submit it here to become an TecMint author.